Unfortunately, it is easy for pollutants to get into the River system. Some items are intentionally dumped, but most pollutants are transported into the river system by water runoff. Water runoff from rainfall, snowmelt and sprinklers travels overland and pollutants "hitch a ride" to the nearest storm drain, ditch or creek. From there, the polluted water enters the Huron River unfiltered and untreated. Sources of pollutants include excess fertilizer on lawns, automotive fluid leaks on drives and parking lots, litter, grass clippings, solvents and detergents. Even something that is considered an asset to you, such as fertilizer on lawns, becomes a pollutant once it enters the river system.

Pollutants cause declines in water quality, harming the creatures living in and around the River. Contamination of surface water and groundwater also puts our drinking water supplies at risk. In an effort to protect water quality, the Public Information & Education program was created to address the connection between resident behaviors and nonpoint source pollution. In the Huron River Watershed, 75% of the pollutant loads entering the Huron River are from home sites – indicating that individual actions make a big difference! You can help by keeping water runoff on your site and by using fewer products that compromise water quality. You can also save yourself time and money in the process! Ready to learn more? Check out these tips for Helping The Huron in and around your home.

 »TIP CATEGORY -- HOME TOXICS
 »TIP CATEGORY -- SEPTIC SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
 »TIP CATEGORY -- WATER CONSERVATION
 »TIP CATEGORY -- YARD and GARDEN

Why is phosphorus such a big deal?
Excess phosphorus is one of the biggest water quality challenges facing the Huron River. Phosphorus is a naturally occurring element that is an important nutrient in aquatic systems. But a little goes a long way. One pound of phosphorus can stimulate the growth of 500 pounds of algae. This green muck is a real inconvenience to people who recreate in and on the Huron River and it is harmful to aquatic species. As algae and other plant material decompose, oxygen levels in the water are depleted. When oxygen levels drop below normal, fish and other creatures are left “gasping for a breath” and the entire river system is in jeopardy.

On average, 20% of the phosphorus in the Huron River comes from natural sources. Human activities account for the remaining 80%! That means you can make a real difference to water quality by paying attention to the products you use that contain phosphorus. In particular, read labels on automatic dishwashing detergents and fertilizers. These two products can be very high in phosphorus:

For fertilizers, the middle number on the bag indicates phosphorus content (for example 10-10-30). Get products with a number as close to zero as possible. Even better, support retailers that provide fertilizers with zero phosphorus. Most soils in this area don’t require added phosphorus. For more information check out the fertilizer section of our yard and garden tips webpage. For dish detergents, phosphorus content can range from 0% - 8.7% (the highest amount allowable by law). The lower the percentage, the better. If the box doesn’t tell you the phosphorus content, beware.

What are the Phase II Stormwater Regulations?
Phase II is a set of rules put forth by the U.S. EPA to comply with the Clean Water Act and help clean up the nations waterways. The Phase II Stormwater regulations will reduce the quantity and improve the quality of stormwater that is discharged into local rivers and waterways.

First, a little background: In 1972 the Clean Water Act was established to help the degrading quality of our lakes, streams and rivers. This act made the discharge of pollution illegal, encouraged the use of best achievable pollution control technology and provided billions of dollars for construction of sewage treatment plants. In 1987 the act was amended to strengthen controls on toxic pollutants and allowed states to assume responsibility for federal programs. With this amendment the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established Phase I of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) in 1990. Phase I regulated all the "medium" and "large" communities that were serving over 100,000 people.

In 1999 the EPA established the Phase II regulations to reduce the impact of pollution that was being created with the increase of development. The NPDES Phase II requires permit coverage for storm water discharges from small “municipal separate storm sewer systems (Ms4s) in urbanized areas and construction activity disturbing between one and five acres of land. An MS4 is any drainage system that discharges to waters of the State and is owned or operated by a federal, state, county, city, village, township, district, association or other public body of government. Such drainage systems may include roads, catch basins, curbs, gutters, parking lots, ditches, conduits, pumping devices, or man-made channels. Most of the Huron River Watershed’s local governments are required to have a Phase II permit.

In Michigan the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) is administering the federal Phase II permitting process. MDEQ has prepared two types of EPA-approved permits. A "jurisdictional permit" is closely structured to follow the EPA’s minimum measures for complying with Phase II regulations.

The second permit (permit no. MIG619000) has watershed-based requirements that are unique to Michigan. These watershed-based permit requirements address the storm water pollution control issues covered in the EPA’s minimum measures, while maximizing flexibility and cost sharing opportunities. Under the watershed-based approach to Phase II, local governments and other Phase II permittees form a watershed group and work together to meet the permit requirements.

To learn more about Phase II, visit the links to other Phase II resources on the HRWC Resources webpage.

Last Updated: February 2006